New mountain weather service launches

A new online mountain weather forecast service which hopes to save lives on our mountain ranges has been launched today. Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith says the service will improve enjoyment and safety for trampers, hunters, mountain bikes, skiers and fishers in New Zealand's national and forest parks. "The new online mountain weather forecast service will provide standardised five-day forecasts updated every day for 24 mountain locations across eight of New Zealand's most popular parks. The new mountain forecasts can be seen at www.metservice.co.nz.3 News

Naming decision to be made on NZ's islands

The New Zealand Geographic Board is set to reveal to the Government its decision today on the official names of New Zealand's two main islands. The board wants to make the North and South names official, but had also been consulting with the public about whether to also formally assign official alternative Maori names to the islands. If the change is signed off, the islands would be officially known as the North Island and/or Te Ika-a-Maui and the South Island and/or Te Waipounamu.Source: ONE News

Helen Clark returning to give lecture on poverty

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark will discuss whether eradicating extreme poverty is possible in a public lecture in Auckland next month. The former Labour leader, who was Prime Minister from 1999 until 2008, became the first woman to head the UN Development Programme in April 2009. She will return from New York to Auckland next month to give the 2013 Robert Chapman Lecture at the University of Auckland. The lecture, titled "Beyond the Millennium Development Goals: What could the next global development agenda look like?" will tackle global development issues including what can be achieved and whether eradicating extreme poverty is possible. Miss Clark will speak at the university's Maidment Theatre on Alfred St on August 19 at 6pm.- APNZ

Red Cross warns of Syria scam emails

A new email scam is using the New Zealand Red Cross as its hook. The aid agency is warning the public to be on the lookout for a fake email asking people to donate to an emergency appeal for the people of war-torn Syria. The email uses the heading "Donate to the emergency appeal for Syria", and uses text identical to that on the Syria appeal page on the New Zealand Red Cross website. It also contains a link for people to follow but most spam filters will block access to this link. However, New Zealand Red Cross fundraising manager Alice Montague said that people should be extra cautious. Ms Montague said that the Red Cross does not send unsolicited emails to members of the public and does not ask for people's bank account numbers by email.Source: ONE News

70,000 voters dropped from electoral roll

About 70,000 local election enrolment packs have bounced back to Registrars of Electors marked "gone no address". The Electoral Commission mailed update packs to the 3.1 million people on the electoral roll at the beginning of July, to make sure everyone who is eligible is correctly enrolled to vote in this year's local elections. Those whose pack has been returned have been removed from the roll, says National Manager of Enrolment Services, Murray Wicks. Getting back on the roll is easy. People can either go online at elections.org.nz, freetext their name and address to 3676, call 0800 36 76 56 or go to any PostShop. People have until August 16 to enrol in time to receive their voting papers in the mail.

'Google of garbage' debuts in NZ

Terracycle, a company designed to eliminate the idea of waste, has launched in New Zealand today. It is already present in 23 countries around the world and has been labelled the "Google of garbage". The company takes things like toothpaste tubes, bags of chips and cigarette butts and turns them into eco-friendly products. The idea of Terracycle is that people register their rubbish via their website and then the post it through with no cost to the consumer. It then gets recycled into a usable product. "Each type of garbage has a very unique heartbeat," Tom Szaky, the brainchild of Terracycle told TV ONE's Breakfast. Mr Szaky believes everything can be recycled with no exceptions. The company will start off here by recycling confectionary packaging, the flexible packaging can be squeezed together into a fabric that can be sewn into anything from a backpack to a pencil case.Source: ONE News

Customs process made faster when travelling to UK or US

New Zealand has launched a new SmartGate system for ePassport holders departing for the US and UK, Customs Minister Maurice Williams has announced. The automated passenger processing system has been used by six million people since its introduction in 2009. "Building on the success and popularity of SmartGate with New Zealanders and Australians, the system is now being made available to eligible US and UK ePassport holders departing New Zealand," Mr Williamson said. SmartGate uses the information in ePassports and facial recognition technology conduct customs and immigration checks.Source: ONE News

Surgeon outlines evolution of skin tone

An Auckland skin surgeon will this week launch a book that's almost certain to shine a light on the subject of race relations. Sharad Paul's book, Skin: A Biography, explains that in the end, light and dark skin comes down to nothing more than the struggle between two vitamins. Dr Paul says the only real difference is in the result of a biological struggle between folic acid and vitamin D. "So if you're light you have an advantage in getting more vitamin D; if you're dark you have an advantage in getting more folic acid." In fact, far from keeping us apart, skin is the one thing all living creatures share – from sponges to humans – we all have a semi-permeable membrane. "So the reality is that skin is the only organ necessary for being or being alive," he says. Dr Paul's book, out on Wednesday, may go to show racial divisions are a pigment of the imagination.3 News

Chiefs V Crusaders, Super Rugby semifinal

The Chiefs will host the Super Rugby final for the second year in a row after a 20-19 come from behind victory over the Crusaders in Hamilton. Both sides battled out a tryless first half, with the boot of Dan Carter guiding the visitors to a 9-3 halftime lead. The Chiefs started brightest in the second half, and raced to a 20-9 lead. Israel Dagg brought it back to 20-16 with a superb individual try. However, they managed to hold on for a 20-19 win.3 News

Thousands of GCSB Bill protesters hit the streets

Thousands of people took to the streets across the country today to protest over controversial new spying laws. Organisers say the strong turnout shows there is still a huge level of concern over the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) bill, despite United Future MP Peter Dunne securing some changes to the original proposal. Once passed into law, the bill would extend the powers of the GCSB to allow it to provide information for the New Zealand Police, Defence Force and the Security Intelligence Service. Thousands turned out to protest in Wellington alone for the bill to be scrapped. But rallies also took place in 11 separate towns and cities today, with protesters equally as vocal in Auckland.Source: ONE News

Hepatitis patients encouraged to join support networks

The Government is encouraging New Zealanders with hepatitis to enrol in newly formed support programmes. In New Zealand, there are around 150,000 people living with chronic hepatitis B or C, 100,000 with hepatitis B and 50,000 with hepatitis C. Ahead of World Hepatitis Day, Health Minister Tony Ryall said there were two programmes available - one for hepatitis B and one for hepatitis C. "The hepatitis B programme is the largest of its kind in the world, with 14,000 New Zealanders receiving care and support," he said. For more information about hepatitis and the support programmes visit: www.hepatitisfoundation.org.nzSource: ONE News

By Morgan TaitA New Zealand woman will race 1000km across Mongolia on horseback next month - and hopes to complete the mammoth charity ride in less than a week. Bay of Islands horse trainer Chloe Phillips-Harris, 25, will traverse Genghis Khan's old postal messenger route for 13 hours each day, racing 34 other riders from around the world as part of the annual Mongol Derby. The race - the equivalent of galloping from Cape Reinga to Wellington - comes with a maximum luggage weight of just 5kg and riders must change horse every 40km. The race raises money for rainforest trust Cool Earth and a charity of each rider's choice. Ms Phillips-Harris has chosen non-profit equine organisation Kiwi Care Team, with which she has travelled to the slums of India and Egypt providing aid and education for locals who rely on working animals. The event begins on August 4, and Ms Phillips-Harris can be followed on mongolderby.com.

Foreign meat to be labelled in NZ supermarkets

Any beef and lamb that is not from New Zealand will be clearly marked as a foreign product in supermarkets from next week. After customers made calls for better country of origin labelling, Beef Lamb New Zealand announced today that all Australian meat products will be clearly labelled as such from August 1. Beef Lamb New Zealand Chief Executive Rod Slater said that the move is a significant step in ensuring Kiwis are fully informed about the meat they are buying. He said that New Zealand meat retailers recognise customers' right to know the origin of their food and are committed to leading the way in this area.Source: ONE News

Starship unveils $6m wing

By 3 News online staffStarship Children's Hospital has unveiled its brand new $6 million ward for Medical Specialties and Neuroservices. The ward is on the sixth floor of the hospital and has undergone an extensive rebuild. The space now has 37 single bedrooms providing extra privacy and comfort for patients and their families. The majority of the funding came from donations. Patients will begin moving into the new ward this weekend.

Wednesday, July 24

Universities improve completion rates

Universities and polytechs are reporting improved qualification completion rates. Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says changes the Government made to reward performance instead of funding institutions on a "bums on seats" basis are working. "More students are staying in study, achieving credits and qualifications, and progressing further," he said today when he released the latest performance data. It shows Massey University and the Open Polytech topped the table for improved qualification completion rates. In total, 25 of the 29 reporting institutions have raised their performance. Mr Joyce says Maori completion rates were up six percent on 2011 and Pasifika results improved by five percent.NZN

Govt's free flu immunisation offer to end

New Zealanders eligible for free influenza immunisation have less than a week left to be vaccinated before a government-subsidised offer ends at the end of the month. The National Influenza Specialist Group said a record 1.25 million doses of vaccine had been distributed already this year resulting in an estimated 29 per cent of the population receiving immunisation. Anyone who wants to be immunised against influenza after July 31 will have to pay a charge to get it from their doctor, nurse or in some pharmacies.- APNZ

Kiwis affected by Aussie mining layoffs

The dream's over for hundreds of Kiwi families hoping to make the big time in Australia's booming mining industry, with companies laying off staff in droves. Mining company Peabody owns eight coal mines, but has axed more than 800 jobs in recent weeks. The recruitment company responsible for sending thousands across the ditch, called Reciprocus, say mining companies are laying off staff as China's need for resources slows down and big Aussie construction projects wind down. Douglas Foster from Reciprocus says it's been a sharp, unexpected downturn, and prospects aren't good.But the bubble has burst, and spokesman Mr Foster says many Kiwis now find themselves in dire straits.RadioLIVE

Baby singlets project in honour of royal baby

Parliament's exhibition space is showing a selection of hand-knitted baby singlets in honour of the royal birth. They are part of a nationwide project to knit baby singlets in honour of the birth of the first child of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. The exhibition is run by the New Zealand handicrafts society Creative Fibre. A selection of 144 of the singlets is on display at Parliament's Bowen House exhibition space and includes some knitted by parliamentary staff and keen crafters from across New Zealand. The woollen singlets will be gifted to newborn babies in the areas they were knitted through maternity hospitals, neonatal units and midwives after the exhibition.- APNZ

Success for Kokako breeding programme

The precious Kokako bird has been thrown a life line. A breeding programme has had its first successful wild-to-wild egg transfer, and in turn, led to a 20 per cent rise in the number of breeding pairs. The method involves swapping around the eggs between two nests from two different Auckland populations of Kokako. Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation have been working collaboratively on the project. One of the council's ecologists, Su Sinclair, says they hope to reach their target of 50 pairs by 2020.- Newstalk ZB

Royal baby born: It's a boy

Prince William and Kate Middleton have welcomed their first child, a baby boy. The prince was born at 4.24pm (local time) weighing in at 8lb 6oz. "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm," the official statement from Kensington Palace read. "The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. "The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news. "Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight." Prince Charles said how "overjoyed" he and his wife are with the arrival of the future King. "Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild," he said in a statement. Copyright 2013, APN Holdings NZ Limited

US Navy drops bombs on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

The US Navy said today it was forced to drop four unarmed bombs on to Australia's fragile Great Barrier Reef during a military exercise last week but the bombs did not explode and did not pose a hazard to shipping or navigation. Two Harrier fighter jets dropped four bombs off the coast of tropical Queensland state on Tuesday, according to the US Navy, which is taking part in a biennial joint exercise with the Australian Defence force. The pilots of the jets had intended to drop the four bombs, two inert and two unarmed, on the Townshend Island bomb range, but were told there were hazards in the area, Commander William Marks of the US Seventh Fleet told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio on Monday. "It was not safe to drop the bombs. There were civilian boats right below them," said Marks. The bombs were dropped about 16 nautical miles south of Bell Cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist site worth about $A6 billion ($6.9 billion) a year to the Australian economy.Source: Reuters

Gathering marks 40 years since Mururoa nuclear protest

By Jono Hutchison - ReporterVeterans from the two frigates sent to Mururoa Atoll by the New Zealand Government to protest against French nuclear testing are gathering tonight, 40 years after their voyage. It's a chance to remember a peaceful mission that changed a lot for New Zealand, and those on board the ships too. Chris Turver was one of the journalists telling those stories from on board the ships sent by then-Prime Minister Norman Kirk. "The things that stand out in your life as being really worthwhile, this was one of them," says Mr Turver. "It made a difference for New Zealand. For New Zealand it was the start. It was opening the door for the ending of all nuclear testing in the South Pacific."3News

Saturday, July 20

Rugby - As it happened: Crusaders v Reds

The Canterbury Crusaders hosted the (Australian) Reds in the first Super Rugby qualifying playoff from Christchurch.FULLTIMECrusaders 38 ( Ryan Crotty two tries, Daniel Carter try, Tom Marshall tries: Carter three con, three pen; Tom Taylor one pen)Reds 9 (Quade Cooper three pen)Halftime: 21-6The Crusaders have empathically dispatched the Reds to move through to the semi-finals and while they don't yet know if they are going to Hamilton or Pretoria, it's fair to say that this team is one who all should fear. They now have won six straight and who would bet against them adding two more scalps to win a record eighth Super Rugby title? Source: ONE Sport

Kiwi author documents history of USS Enterprise

By Jeff Hampton - ReporterThe world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier couldn't visit New Zealand because we're nuclear-free. But that hasn't stopped a Kiwi author from writing the US vessel's history. Dave McKay was always fascinated by the USS Enterprise, which has starred in a movie as well as conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan. She's called the Big E, and for more than half a century the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise sailed the world protecting America's interests. Now her history's been written by a Kiwi. Dr McKay admits he's loved the Big E from the first day he got aboard her in the States, simply by phoning the Navy and asking to look around. "I sat on the dock in the bay as you do, eating a hamburger looking at the bow, and I thought I've got to write about this ship."3News

IRD sits on $112m of your cash

By Amelia Wade Email More than $112 million of unclaimed money is just waiting for its owners to come forward. And if you think you're one of the hundreds of thousands of people with a claim, you must prove to Inland Revenue the money is rightfully yours. One New Zealander is owed almost $400,000. The department has already paid out more than $490,000 since July 1 last year. And in the financial year to June 2012, $878,759 was returned to its rightful owners. Inland Revenue has more than 211,400 cases of unclaimed money owed to people, organisations or charities. There is a publicly accessible list of 71,000 names on its website, some dating back to the early 1970s, with details of how much is owed to them so people can check if they've got money sitting and waiting. The Government department said the largest sum held for one person is $371,664.05. This person can find themselves on the IRD's website.

Unseasonably warm weekend ahead

New Zealand is in for an unseasonably warm weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 20 degrees in some places, forecasters predict. A "lingering'' anti-cyclone would bring an improvement in the weather this weekend, but a spell of rain was likely for the second week of the school holidays, MetService predicted. "The weekend will be great for outdoor plans with a lot of dry weather around,'' meteorologist Daniel Corbett said. A WeatherWatch forecast predicted "plenty more'' cloud in Auckland, but much warmer temperatures on the whole. "This weekend we're talking about highs, possibly as much as 20 degrees - in the depths of winter,'' said WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan.- APNZ

NZ monthly net migration at four-year high

New Zealand's monthly inbound migration rose to a four-year high in June as more kiwis stayed at home amid the dwindling attraction of Australia's slowing economy. Seasonally adjusted, there were 2300 more migrants arriving in New Zealand than leaving in June, up from 1740 a month earlier, and the most since May 2009, according to Statistics New Zealand. Permanent long-term arrivals soared to a decade-high 8330, while departures were at a three-year low as fewer people quit New Zealand to seek a better life in Australia. New Zealand has a more favourable economic outlook than its bigger cousin, as a looming construction boom looks set to boost activity here and the pending peak to Australia's mining sector casts a shadow on one of the few developed economies to avoid a recession during the global financial crisis.Source: BusinessDesk

Thursday, July 18

Cure for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease a step closer

New Zealand scientists have made a breakthrough in stem cell research, taking a cure for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease one step closer. While the study has found what is preventing some stem cells from becoming neurons, scientists at Auckland's University Centre for Brain Research have pinned down the culprit at a cellular level. They found that stem cells have to move around the brain to find their place in order to produce a coat of slippery molecules to make it easy to move. The study has found that an oversupply of insulin stops the cell re-absorbing the slippery molecules.Source: ONE News

Cut-price power bid for elderly

By Kiri Gillespie of the Bay of Plenty TimesGrey Power is trying to negotiate a deal for cheaper power for its 64,000 members amid reports some elderly are not heating their homes because it is too expensive. Power bills have risen $65 on average nationwide in the last year. The price of power in Tauranga increased by $83, figures released this week by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment show. Grey Power Tauranga president Christina Humphreys said the issue had become so serious the organisation was in the process of arranging a national deal with a power company that would make power more affordable for seniors. The project was headed by Grey Power's national office. Grey Power's national office was advising members to avoid signing up for long-term contracts in anticipation of the deal.

Seal goes for a wander around Wellington CBD

By Matthew Backhouse A seal which wandered around the streets of central Wellington this morning had to be herded back into the water by police. Seals are a common sight along the capital's south coast but police say this morning's visitor to the central city is a little bit more unusual. The seal was reported by a police staff member who "almost hit it" on Jervois Quay as they were coming in to work about 5.40am, Inspector Chris Tate of police central communications said. Police herded the seal back into a nearby lagoon about half an hour later. "He might come back again later on, but it's hard to tell with these guys."- APNZ

Tuesday, July 16

Scholar slates church over Chch Cathedral demolition

By Kurt BayerA UK scholar and expert on Gothic Imperial architecture has slated the Anglican Church decision to demolish quake-crippled ChristChurch Cathedral. Academic Alex Bremner wrote extensively about the cathedral, built by famed English architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, in his book Imperial Gothic. The senior lecturer in architectural history at the University of Edinburgh, and Gates Cambridge alumnus, has criticised Anglican Diocese of Christchurch plans to create a new cathedral after the original's spire was snapped in the February 2011 quake. Dr Bremner says the cathedral is "far more than just a building" because it was originally built as a memorial to the city's establishment as a dedicated Anglican colony in the South Sea. In a scathing commentary published yesterday, he compares the cathedral to St Peter's basilica in Rome: "Both buildings embodying the social, civic and architectural heritage and identity of their respective cities." Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews last year announced plans to deconstruct the damaged cathedral to a "safe level" of 2-3 metres above the ground. The decision sparked public protests and a group, Great Christchurch Buildings Trust (GCBT), led by former MP Jim Anderton, have taken the church to the High Court to reverse the move.- APNZ

(Welfare) Benefit numbers drop by 10,000

Beneficiary numbers have dropped more than 10,000 over the past year, with 8735 solo parents coming off the domestic purposes benefit. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett released new benefit figures today, which show June data for the three new benefit categories that came into effect on Monday. The data shows the number of beneficaries on categories now included in jobseeker support has dropped by nearly 6000 since June 2012, including 3159 DPB recipients with children over 14. The number of beneficiaries on categories now included in sole parent support dropped by 5657 in the year to June, due to 5576 fewer DPB recipients with children under 14. The proportion of working age adults on benefits is now at its lowest since 2009.Source: NZN

Benefit (welfare) overhaul to save Govt $1 billion

A billion dollars is how much the Government says it will bank from its crackdown on beneficiaries that kicks in today. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett's "fundamentally different" welfare reforms aim to shake up the country's welfare system. In a raft of changes, job seekers now risk having their benefits cut if they do not stop using drugs. In other changes, the Domestic Purposes Benefit, the Sickness Benefit and the Unemployment Benefit no longer exist. The Sickness Benefit has been replaced with a Supported Living Payment. "There are significant changes for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders today," said Ms Bennett. "The benefit savings could be anywhere between a billion dollars and 1.6 billion."Source: ONE News

New Netball NZ CEO named

Netball NZ (NNZ) has named their new chief executive to replace long-standing Raelene Castle, who left to take the top job at the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs. Hockey New Zealand boss Hilary Poole has been confirmed in the role this morning. NNZ Board Acting Chair John Bongard said Poole's combination of commercial background and sport governance experience meant she was best person for the job. She was awarded the 2012 CK Doig Award for excellence in sporting leadership and has previously held senior roles at Bank of New Zealand, and GE Capital.Source: ONE Sport

Sunday, July 14

Netball - Thunderbirds make history in ANZ Championship win

The Adelaide Thunderbirds have downed the Queensland Firebirds 50-48 in the grand final tonight to become the first club to win two trans-Tasman netball championships. Thunderbird goal attack Erin Bell played a starring role in the victory before a sell-out 10,000-strong crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Bell scored 24 goals and became the only player to win three championships, following titles with the Sydney Swifts in 2008 and Adelaide in 2010. Adelaide were hot favourites, having lost just once in the regular season.Source: AAP

Kiwi breaks record for fastest run across US

A Kiwi woman has beaten the world record for the fastest run across the United States. It took former Auckland postie Alison Bradley just 68 days to run 4,500km from New York on the east coast to Los Angeles on the west coast, all to raise money for cancer research. Source: ONE News

Dixon scores second straight Indy win in Toronto

Kiwi driver Scott Dixon has continued his top form to secure back-to-back wins in the IndyCar series and now faces a US$100,000 bonus payday. Dixon has won Race One at the latest round in Toronto and will pick up the bonus if he can repeat his victory from poole in Race Two tomorrow. Starting fifth on the grid for the 85-lap event, the Kiwi edged ahead of leader Sebatian Bourdais on Lap 78 and held on after a single-file restart on the penultimate lap for his 31st career victory on the circuit.Source: Newstalk ZB

Saturday, July 13

North Island: prepare to be hammered with more heavy rain

Flooded roads remain closed today as the eastern North Island continues to be hammered by heavy rain, but residents elsewhere are in for a brief respite today. Heavy rain in the eastern North Island is forecast to continue until Monday, turning particularly nasty for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne on Sunday.- APNZ

Cricket - Agar makes his name with extraordinary 98

Australia's Ashton Agar wrote his name into the annals of cricket history with an extraordinary innings of 98 against England today which tilted the first Ashes Test firmly towards his team. The 19-year-old Agar, making his debut, strode to the crease at number 11 after Australia had collapsed to 117 for nine and shared a record last-wicket partnership of 163 with Phil Hughes that changed the course of the match. Agar struck two sweet sixes and 12 fours with a dazzling array of strokes to make the highest test score by a number 11 batsman. He fell two runs short of his century, holing out on the mid-wicket boundary, but the composure he displayed in such a tough situation and the timing of his shots will live long in the memory. Agar had only played 10 first-class matches before being named in the Australia side as a left-arm spinner for the first Ashes Test.Source: Reuters

Baby to be monarch whether a boy or girl

If the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a baby daughter this month she'll eventually become just the seventh queen to be crowned in her own right. The eldest child of Prince William and his wife Kate is assured a special place in the British monarchy's long and rich history. If the soon-to-be-born baby is a girl, she - and not some younger brother - will one day occupy the throne of the world's most high-profile monarchy. The UK parliament this year passed legislation ending discrimination against women when it comes to succession to the British throne. The act will come into force after it's formally approved by the 16 Commonwealth countries, including New Zealand, where the Queen is head of state. If William and Kate do have a daughter, she will eventually become just the seventh queen to be crowned in her own right in English history. She would follow in the footsteps of Maud, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Mary II, Anne, Victoria and her great-grandmother Elizabeth II.Source: NZN

Rugby - All Blacks to play Japan

New Zealand will play Japan for the fifth time in a one-off Test in Tokyo ahead of their three Tests against France, England and Ireland in November. The All Blacks will kick-start their end-of-year northern tour with a one-off Test against Japan in Tokyo on November 2. It will be the fifth time the All Blacks have played Japan. They met twice in 1987 in Japan, and then at the 1995 and 2011 World Cups.Source: NZN

Service marks 150th anniversary of Waikato invasion

Waikato-Tainui have commemorated the 150th anniversary of the start of the Waikato Land Wars. Around 100 people gathered at a dawn service to mark the major anniversary of British and colonial forces crossing the Mangatawhiri stream and invading Waikato. It was a nine month war and a crucial moment in the New Zealand wars as Waikato Maori were the backbone of Maori independence. Waikato was the largest and most significant of the New Zealand Wars fought between 1845 and 1872. British victory, although limited, decided the fate of the country thereafter.Source: ONE News

'Bone-chilling' weekend weather warning

By Matthew TheunissenA "bone-chilling" weekend is in store for northern New Zealand, MetService warns, as parts of the North Island cope with flooding and rising rivers today. The forecaster said a low lingering over the north through Saturday and a very cold southerly outbreak on Sunday would make for a classic wintry weekend. "Sunday in particular will feel bone-chilling, with strong or gale force winds in many places, rapidly rising seas, rain, and snow to low-ish levels," said MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett. "The plummeting snow level on Sunday could make travel over many higher routes challenging."- APNZ

Thursday, July 11

New Zealand named 12th most overweight country

New Zealand has been named and shamed as one of the fattest countries in the world. A report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation ranked New Zealand as having the 12th highest number of overweight and obese people. The US, which previously had the worst record, was overtaken by neighbouring Mexico, where 70 per cent of adults are overweight and a third obese. The study found 27 per cent of New Zealanders were obese, just behind Lebanon and alongside Slovenia. Australia was the 17th fattest nation and Britain 19th. However, adults in American Samoa are still officially the fattest in the world. According to World Health Organisation figures, the rate of overweight citizens has now reached 95 per cent.- APNZ

Meal fit for a king

By Antonia AndersonMore than 70 penguins dined like royalty this week as they enjoyed the "sub-zero house-warming" of their redeveloped enclosure at the Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium. An appropriately dressed waiter joined the 43 Gentoo penguins and 29 king penguins and served multi-coloured fish cakes to the birds inside their freezing residence. The two groups of birds have adapted so well to their revamped surroundings that staff decided to throw them a welcome party. The new layout has replaced the snow-cat ride, which means visitors can now walk through the enclosure and spend more time watching the penguins. Last year, 10 healthy baby penguins were delivered at the aquarium - seven Gentoo and three king penguins.

Art up for grabs first in, first served

By Morgan TaitAucklanders have the chance to get their hands on some free art - lucky dip style. Eighty-five contemporary artworks will be wrapped in brown paper and handed to the first people to attend the Art for the People exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery between 2pm and 5pm today and next Thursday. Auckland University of Technology postgraduate visual arts students Evan Woodruffe, 47, and Catherine Ellis, 22, are behind the project which includes photography, sculptures, painting and prints by past and present AUT students including Mr Woodruffe, Ian Jervis and Monique Jansen. "I thought we should give the art back to the people," said Mr Woodruffe, a celebrated oil painter. Art for the People will run in one of Auckland Art Gallery's labs as part of the 5th Auckland Triennial, New Zealand's international visual contemporary art exhibition. It runs until August 11, and Art for the People is part of a three-week time slot designated to AUT students.

This blog uses some copyright material. This blog has no commercial value and does not use material for monetary gain or profit in any sense. NZ News is based on my interest in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands news and current affairs. It is a personal interest blog.
Mention of a person or organisation in this blog does not imply approval, support, participation in, or any connection with this blog. Links and organisations displayed in the blog are intended to help people seeking information about New Zealand. News sources are always attributed and there is full recognition of copyright holders. Anyone with a genuine interest in the material used and who may object to its use, please email me (contact address in sidebar) and it will be immediately removed from this blog.

NO REPORTERS, JOURNALISTS OR OTHER MEDIA PEOPLE WERE HARMED OR IN ANY WAY MISTREATED DURING THE MAKING OF THIS NEWS BLOG

...............................
This page is designed for Firefox. It may not display correctly in other browsers.

...............................
DO YOU KNOW ANITA HOOGENDYKE?
Anita Hoogendyke - Sr Anne-Marie is trying to find you. If you see this Anita please contact me at - patricianoel@iinet.net.au or phone Australia 0011 (02) 44763831. Would love to hear from you.
...............................

Subscribe to this free daily news blog

Christchurch NZ is a special city.
It is a vibrant city. You would like it.
Why not take a moment to check it out.
Just CLICK HERE